ACCRA – MDA
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Agricultural Chemical Response and Reimbursement Account (ACRRA) was created to reimburse persons for costs incurred in cleaning up agricultural chemical (pesticide and fertilizer) incidents. ACRRA is administered by the Agricultural Chemical Compensation Board. The Board determines the amount of reimbursements or payments from the fund to the eligible person.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials.
Brownfield
The U.S. EPA defines a brownfield as, “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” Essentially, brownfield sites are abandoned and unused property that is blighted by real or perceived environmental contamination.
Brownfield Development
The rehabilitation and redevelopment of a brownfield site that encompasses decontamination and the construction of facilities that may be entirely new or that may make use of existing structures.
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act – Enacted by Congress in 1980. The act established prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites; provides for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at these sites; and established a trust fund (“Superfund”) to provide for cleanup when no responsible party can be identified.
Cumulative Risk
Combined risk from exposure to multiple chemicals by multiple pathways and routes of exposure.
Contaminant
Substance that is either present in an environment where it does not belong or is present at levels that might cause harmful (adverse) health effects.
DEED
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development – Focuses on enriching economic success for individuals, businesses, and communities by enhancing opportunities for prosperity and independence. DEED offers Contamination Cleanup and Investigation grants to fund the cleanup and investigation of brownfield sites. The Redevelopment Grant Program is an additional grant program that assists communities with the costs of redeveloping depressed properties: commercial, industrial, or residential.
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement – A report that must be completed by federal agencies when a significant federal action is deemed to affect the quality and well-being of the environment.
EJ
Environmental Justice. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies
EJA
Environmental Justice Area. An environmental justice area in Minnesota is one or more census tracts that meet certain criteria. These criteria include: 40% or more of the population is nonwhite, more than 50% of residents are people of color and/or 40% of households have a household income of less than 185% of the federal poverty level, 35% of households are low-income or 40% of the population has limited English language skills.
EPA
Established in 1970, the EPA aims to monitor and protect human health and the environment through the use of regulations that are derived from Congressional laws. The EPA Brownfields program offers cleanup assistance, grant funding, and research to promote the efficient reuse of brownfields.
ERF
Environmental Response Fund – Hennepin and Ramsey counties offer funds for both the assessment and cleanup of sites that are contaminated. Funds go toward sites that have conditions that pose a threat to human health and/or the environment.
Greenfield
A site, often on the urban periphery, that has never been developed.
Infill Development
Development that takes place within previously built-up sections of a city; often intersects with brownfield redevelopment as a majority of contaminated land exists within cities.
KSU TAB
A program operated by the EPA in which Minnesota Brownfields is a designated state partner with Kansas State University. TAB is geared towards discovering what are the specific needs of communities and works with leaders within those communities. Minnesota Brownfields offers training throughout Greater Minnesota for communities that are interested in learning more about brownfields cleanup and funding strategies.
Land Recycling
Like recycling cans and bottles, land recycling is the reuse of abandoned, vacant, or underused properties for redevelopment or repurposing. The Minnesota Land Recycling Act was enacted in 1992.
MDA – Incident Response Unit
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is the lead agency for response to, and cleanup of, agricultural chemical contamination (pesticides and fertilizers) in Minnesota. The Incident Response Unit provides technical and regulatory guidance for the investigation and cleanup of agricultural chemical contamination.
MDH
Minnesota Department of Health
MERLA
The Minnesota Environment Response and Liability Act was created in 1983. It is the State of Minnesota’s version of CERCLA.
Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Fund
This fund program is aimed at boosting the economic vitality of communities through community investment, affordable housing, and connects multiple land uses and transportation.